The desire for originality is felt by nearly all musicians. The entire thrust of 20th century composition was around breaking the chains of the diatonic scale and finding ways to create music no one had created before. In other words, they desired to be original.
I struggle with this. If I do something radical and new, you will not like it. If I do something that has been done before, you will not like it AND I will violate copyright. The challenge for any songwriter writing for anyone other than himself is how to make a song catchy and accessible and yet uniquely interesting.
So this bit is interesting. It goes D-G-F-A. Nothing complicated. And it does so over and over. And yet I like it, and I don’t think I’ve heard anything like it recently.
Enjoy the percussa-foot…that’s my fleshy foot and its attached sandal striking the floor. Also, forgive the BlackBerry’s brief interruption.
The clip
Recorded
Three days ago.
Progressions
So while I’m working aggressively on the piece tentatively titled “Your Way Home,” I won’t post any additional lyrics or vocals for that song until after June 6th. This will allow Scott to develop his own melody independently, and it will be fascinating to hear how his melody blends or does not blend with mine.
In the mean time, here’s another fresh song idea. I am in the process of being stiffed out of some money by someone, and that has formed the inspiration behind this clip. Pay no heed to the mumbled pseudo-melody…though if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, that should come as no surprise. 
The clip
Recorded
Just a few minutes ago…
Song Fragments
Wow, this one has come together quickly! Not having access to a guitar while I was in California this past week, I instead took last week’s clip and edited it to form an actual song. It goes like this (in case the structure is not apparent from the song):
[intro]
[verse 1]
[chorus]
[verse 2]
[chorus]
[solo]
[chorus]
[outro]
The lyrics are still a work in progress, but I can definitely share with you verse 1 and get your initial feedback:
You’ve been gone
Wandering
Far too long
Asleepwalking
Strangely bound
For being free
Knowing down, deep down
Freedom’s key
Thoughts?
The clip
Recorded
See previous post. Edited on the plane home.
Song Fragments
Well, while I putter along with the pieces of Someone New, here’s a little something-something. In my quest to settle on a definitive, coherent, unique, and fan-approved “sound,” I have been trying to ensure that all of my new stuff has a “pulse.” I want to create music that grooves, music that is easy to get into and clap along with and all that. The following clip is one I just enjoy listening to, and for that very reason.
This clip wanders a bit toward the end; I’ve already tightened it up a bit. One concern: there isn’t a lot of room here for vocals.
Your thoughts?
The clip
Recorded
May 9, 2009, 4:11:18 PM
Progressions
